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15 Aug 2009
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Registered Users
HUBB regular
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Perth, Australia
Posts: 33
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Toronto to Arctic Circle
Hi All
I'm currently on a RTW and have so far travelled from Dubai to the UK with no probs. I am now flying myslef and my bike (BMW 650 Dakar) to Toronto and will be heading for the Arctic Circle, pretty much straight away!
Can anyone give me an estimate of how long this will take me? I will pretty much stick to the main highways I think. Fastest route.
Also, I am a solo female traveller and have absolutely no clue about bike maintenance (aghhh). Will I need special tyres due to the weather conditions?
If anyone is doing this route around this time, I am happy to travel together as I am slightly nervous about being on my own!!!!!!
Thanks
Louise
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16 Aug 2009
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Lifetime Member
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Nanaimo BC Canada
Posts: 71
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Welcome eh
Welcome to Canada, eh.
The fastest route from Toronto is to head west on Trans Canada Highway 1 to Saskatoon Sask. Then head up Hwy 16 for Edmonton in Alberta. From there Hwy 43 to Grand Prairie and onto Dawson Creek in British Columbia. That is the start of the Alsaska Highway and from there you go north west to White Horse in the Yukon Territories.
At this point you will have to make a decision about heading north on the Dempster Highway to the arctic circle and beyond – this is the Canadian side or to go further west cross into the USA and head towards Prudome bay on the American side.
As for disctance from Toronto White Horse is probably 7000 kms or so. If you go up to Dawson city and the Artic Circle on the Canadian side it is about 2000 kms return to White Horse. If you are going to the American side you it would be about 4000 kms return to White Horse. Remember quite a bit of this highway is not paved ie it is a maintained industrial gravel road. So if the weather is wet the road is very slippery. If it is dry is will just be dusty.
For bike service there is a good BMW dealer in Edmonton – sorry cant remember his name and a good one in Calgary – Blackfoot – both in the province of Alberta. You can always try getting some feed back/advise from one of the HU Communities from the larger cities on your trip as to who they would recommend using
As for tires I would change them as far north as you can an mount up a set of TKC knobbies for the dirt or a new set of Metzler Tourances and just ride a little more conservative
My wife and I will be in Dawson City probably the end of the first week of September looking to go north on the Dempster to the Arctic Circle. I am on a late model Suzuki and she is on her BMW 650 so if you are in the area keep an eye out for us
Good luck. Hope to see you on the road sometime
Kevan and Karen Ibbotson
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16 Aug 2009
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Perth, Australia
Posts: 33
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Hi Guys
Thanks for your very informative information and I will definitely keep you updated.
I still can't believe that I will be arriving in 3 days and haven't even bought a map yet! I'm so looking forward to canada and its super large wilderness!
Bring it on!
Lou
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17 Aug 2009
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ontario, CANADA
Posts: 313
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Keep in mind that you would probably be hitting the Yukon and Alaska in early to mid Sept. It does start to get cold. Hope you have some heated gear.
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17 Aug 2009
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Contributing Member
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Andrews
Posts: 662
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Hi Lou and Hi Kavan, it's magic up there, just pray for good weather. As to maps, you should be able to pick up a good one free courtesy of the tourist board at Toronto airport and then at the welcome centres as you enter each state/province. With the exception of California the US ones are very good and if you have a UK AA card with you or meet someone who is in the CAA their offices also have excellent maps and accom. books for free and if you tell them you are going all the way up they will give you all the maps you need. Ride safe.
__________________
Mike
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Mike is riding the twisty road in the sky
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17 Aug 2009
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Nanaimo BC Canada
Posts: 71
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Hi Mike. Hi Darryl
Keep in mind the various HU Communities around North America. There are lots of us along your route willing to help or meet for a  etc.
Have a look here : http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/com...tEnglish.shtml
scrool down to Canada and you will see lots of communities along your route.
Maps are nice but this is Canada. Head west to Saskatoon. Head north till you cant go no more. Head south till the weather improves.
No maps needed
Kevan
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